Overview
Vice-Dale County is the most populated and urbanized county in the state of Leonida. It is the primary setting for Grand Theft Auto VI, containing Vice City, and all of its surrounding districts. The county is based on Miami-Dade County, Florida, the most populous county in the real-world state of Florida and the cultural and economic heart of South Florida.
Vice-Dale County contains Vice City, the game's main urban setting. Rockstar has not published a county map, and it has not said how the story's missions are spread across the counties.
Real-World Inspiration
Vice-Dale County directly parallels Miami-Dade County, Florida. Miami-Dade is the most populated county in Florida, with over 2.7 million residents as of the 2020 census. It encompasses the city of Miami, Miami Beach, Hialeah, Coral Gables, and dozens of other municipalities. The name "Vice-Dale" combines the series' iconic "Vice City" branding with a nod to "Dade," preserving the recognizable connection to the real county.
Districts and Neighborhoods
Vice-Dale County encompasses all of Vice City's districts and neighborhoods. These range from beachfront resort areas to working-class urban cores. This reflects the socioeconomic diversity of Miami-Dade County.
District | Description | Real-World Basis |
|---|---|---|
Beachfront tourist district with art deco architecture, nightclubs, and hotels | South Beach / Ocean Drive, Miami Beach | |
lively Hispanic neighborhood with Latin culture, restaurants, and street life | Little Havana, Miami | |
Haitian-American neighborhood with Caribbean culture and local businesses | Little Haiti, Miami | |
Arts and culture district with street murals and converted warehouses | Wynwood, Miami | |
Downtown | Financial district with high-rise buildings, corporate offices, and upscale shopping | Downtown Miami / Brickell |
Residential and commercial transition zone between downtown and outer suburbs | Overtown, Miami | |
Exclusive island chain with luxury mansions and waterfront properties | Venetian Islands / Star Island, Miami Beach | |
Vice Beach | Barrier island beach area containing Ocean Beach and Washington Beach, named through the Vice Beach Police Department livery | Miami Beach |
Town named on a Keys Causeway sign in Trailer 2; its county is unconfirmed, and so is its distance from Vice City | Homestead, Florida | |
Mixed-use area blending residential and tourist activity | Washington Avenue area, Miami Beach |
Key Infrastructure
Vice-Dale County contains the most important transportation and logistics infrastructure in Leonida.
Vice City International Airport: The primary airport serving Vice City; its position has not been shown. Based on Miami International Airport.
VC Port: The main shipping port for Vice City, handling both commercial cargo and cruise ship operations. Based on PortMiami.
I-404 Highway: A major interstate highway through Vice City; signs on it name other counties, but its full route has not been published.
Metrorail / Transit System: An elevated rail system serving the urban core, visible in trailer footage.
Neighboring Counties
Four other county names are known for Leonida: Leonard, Mariana, Kelly and Ambrosia. Rockstar has not published a county map, so which of them border Vice-Dale County is not known. Road signs give the only official hints: a northbound Interstate 97 sign in Trailer 2 lists Leonard County, and a westbound Interstate 404 exit sign in Vice City in Trailer 1 (around 0:51) appears to point toward Kelly County (checked September 29, 2026).
Key Facts
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Name | Vice-Dale County |
Real-world basis | Miami-Dade County, Florida |
Contains | |
Population rank | Most densely populated county in Leonida |
Major airport | |
Major port | |
Notable districts | Ocean Beach, Little Cuba, Downtown, Venetian Islands |
Trivia
Miami-Dade County was originally named Dade County until 1997, when residents voted to rename it to reflect the prominence of the city of Miami. The "Vice-Dale" name similarly combines the city name with the county suffix.
Vice-Dale County appears to contain the largest proportion of accessible interior locations in the game, consistent with its role as the primary urban hub.
The county encompasses both the wealthiest neighborhoods in Leonida (Venetian Islands) and some of the most economically challenged areas. This reflects Miami-Dade's real-world socioeconomic contrasts.